Top 8 All-time Favorite Family Cars in India

A car is an asset that once driven home for the first time, it no longer remains only your passionate buy, it becomes a part of your family. A sense of belonging for the car starts seeping in amongst all your beloved family members. So, when it comes to buying a family car, it becomes a really difficult situation.

In India, automobile market is filled with a bunch of attractive cars, but not all of them are suitable for a big family, say of six - you, your spouse, your kids, your parents and may be your pet! While buying family cars one has to consider certain things- whether it is big enough to accommodate all your shopping bags, comfortable to go on frequent long commutes, whether it is child-friendly and safe, and whether it is affordable.

There are certain family cars in India, which caters to all these needs and much more. Here are those all-time favorite family cars of India:

Tata Sumo – a flagship family car from Tata Motors, Tata Sumo is known for giving an impressive mileage
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Tata Safari - on-road performance of this highway cruiser is next to nothing.

Toyota Innova – One of the most popular of all family cars, Innova is known for its high-end engine technologies like VVT-i and CRDi

Maruti Eeco – Looking to maintain a perfect balance between price, performance, and functionality? Go for this family car.

Mahindra & Mahindra Xylo – with a spacious cabin and folding rear seats, this family car is simply the best for your near ones.

Mahindra & Mahindra Scorpio – one of the most sophisticated family cars with fire-retardant upholstery.

Mahindra & Mahindra Bolero – this is looked up to as one of the most true-value family cars for having the highest ground clearance.
Chevrolet Tavera – like most luxurious Chevrolets, this SUV is sufficiently spacious and can accommodate ten passengers.

Tata Aria to be Launched in India Soon!

Tata Aria is raring to set the Indian roads on fire. Slated for a May/ June launch this year, the all-new seven-seater SUV-MPV crossover is going to be one of the most sophisticated vehicles from Tata Motors. Though the exact price of this latest Tata launch has not yet been finalized, it is expected to come with a price tag of around Rs 12 Lakh-Rs 14.5 Lakh.

Tata Aria comes with a 2.2-liter direct injection common rail diesel engine that currently powers the Tata Safari and Fiat Grande Punto. The engine is capable of generating a maxaimum power of 140 Bhp with maximum torque of 320 Nm. The newest SUV model from Tata Motors wil be the world's first utility vehicle to feature all wheel drive option, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), Six SRS Airbags and Traction control with Cruise control.

Tata Aria will be available in three variants:

- Tata Aria EX to be priced around Rs. 12,00,000.00
- Tata Aria GX to be priced around Rs. 13,00,000.00
- Tata Aria LX to be priced around Rs. 14,00,000.00

Tata Motors will offer four-wheel and two-wheel drive options in all its variants.

With an array of advanced features that stylize other vehicles like Ford Endeavor, Chevrolet Captiva, and Toyota Fortuner, Tata Aria promises to give all its contemporaries a tough competition ahead. Tata Motors plans to roll out this flagship SUV model in markets of the U.S., the UK and Europe in the next ten years. For the European markets, the company would be catering to a wide range of power-train options.

Renault to Launch Electric Car Twizy in India

French auto major Renault has sketched out plans to introduce Twizy Z.E electric car in India by 2011. Renault intends to launch this zero-emission vehicle in order to amplify its market share in India. There is a seating capacity for two people who can sit one behind another.

Renault Twizy was showcased at the recently concluded Delhi Auto Expo 2010 where it the attention of large number of visitors because of its new concept and unique design.

Twizy Z.E. concept car is 2.30m in length and just 1.13m wide. The concept car is powered by a 15kW electric motor and has a driving range of 60 miles with the maximum speed of 46 miles/hour.

The price of the electric Twizy Z.E car is estimated to be around Rs 8 lakhs.

New Maruti Suzuki WagonR Reaches India by March 2010

India's largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki will launch the new and updated model of WagonR by March 2010. The new model comes as a part of Maruti Suzuki's efforts to upgrade its models according to new Bharat IV emission norms which will be applicable at all the major metros by April 2010.

The all new 2010 WagonR will be poweredby the 998cc KB series engine that develops 67PS of maximum power at 6200rpm and 90Nm of maximum torque at 3500rpm. It will also be available with CNG option.

The interior of the Maruti Suzuki WagonR 2010 will be re-designed with intimate ambience than the earlier version. Maruti Suzuki WagonR exteriors will be upgraded with a new headlamp to give a new modern look with the addition of ABS and airbags.

The new WagonR is estimated to be priced between Rs 3.2 to 4.5 lakhs

Nano Electric Vehicle at 80th Geneva Motor Show

We have said it earlier that its the age of Tata Nano. The small car from Tata Motors is hogging the limelight through out the world. Nano has now reached the ongoing Geneva Motor Show. Tata Motors, the automaker displayed its small car at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. But, the small car displayed by Tata was not the basic model, it was the Nano Electric Vehicle (EV).

The Nano Electric Vehicle is an eco-friendly car that uses super polymer lithium ion batteries, as in the Tata Indica Vista EV. The Electric Nano showcased at Geneva Motor Show gives an output of 160 km and an acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds.

GM Recalls 1.3 Million Compact Cars

General Motors Co. has planned to recall 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac compact cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in order to fix the power steering assist that can break down due to faulty electric motors. GM has initiated this step after the U.S. started an investigation spurred by consumer complaints.

General Motors will change a motor in the power steering system of Chevrolet Cobalt small cars and three Pontiac models. The vehicles recalled are the 2005-2010 Cobalt, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico.

A solution to this problem is being developed and the customers will be notified when to come in for repairs.

Porsche Panamera V6 to Debut Soon!!

It's time for another base version of Porsche Panamera to be launched. Porsche plans to launch the base version of the Panamera and the Panamera 4 with a brand-new Porsche-designed 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection. This Porsche engine is capable of developing a maximum output of 300 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm. As compared to other engines, the 3.6 litre V6 engine with direct fuel injection has yields around 11 Nm per displacement more. While the other engines reach 100 Nm/ litre, Porsche Panamera's new engine - 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection touches 111Nm per liter of displacement.

The base versions of Porsche Panamera and Panamera 4 will be making their world debut at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show that starts on 23 April 2010. While that's about Beijing, but when will the sizzling version debut in India?? Guess, the Indian Porsche lovers need to wait long enough for it.

Girl Models at the Chicago Auto Show 2010

Though, the ongoing Chicago auto show has not been received well by the auto industry and is being seen more like a repeat of the Detroit auto show, still all the auto news are somehow connected to the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Talk about female models at the Chicago Auto Show 2010, the entire auto show area is full of prettier and friendlier girl models who are ready with a smile or an answer to any question one has.

Check out some more pics of girl models at cool pics here

Renault Plans to Launch 7 Vehicles in India

The second largest car maker of France is all geared up to make a roaring entry in the Indian auto market. The decision of Renault to make a solo entry as an auto maker in India came after the company suffered a $3.8 billion loss in the first half of 2009.

Renault is ready to roll out 7 to 8 cars that include cars from a 1.1 liter hatchback to a luxury sedan. Till now, Renault has been selling cars in India in partnership Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). Unfortunately, the company did not make much profit and was able to sell just 7000 cars in the past one year. Reviewing this decision, the automaker has planned to make its solo venture in India very soon.

Toyota Recalls Priuses, hybrids globally

Toyota Motors Corp. has planned to recall 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide in order to fix the brake problems. Recently, the automaker had to face more than 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

Working on this complaint, the automaker has decided to recall about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide. Read more here

Ford Figo to Roll out Tomorrow (Feb 5th 2010)

Ford Figo is making its commercial launch tomorrow that is the 5th of February, 2010. The Chennai plant of Ford India will be inaugurated on February 2010 by Mr. M. Karunanidhi, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

With the commercial launch of Ford Figo, the dates for the car to reach Indian markets would also be announced soon. Figo, a small compact car would be available in both diesel and petrol engine options. Here are some basic details of this upcoming model -

• Engine - 1.2L Rocam petrol engine, also known as Duratec
• Maximum Power capcity - 70bhp of peak power at 6250rpm
• Maximum torque of 104Nm at 4000rpm
• Dual front airbags
• ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution)
• Belt tensioners
• Belt force limiters
• Seatbelt warning indicator
• Door-ajar warning

more about Ford Figo

Ford to Introduce a New Car in India Every 12-18 months

While Ford Figo is to reach Indian roads next week, the carmaker Ford is all geared up to give a tough competition to other carmakers in the compact car segment. Ford India has announced its plans to introduce a new car in the Indian auto market after every 12 to 18 months.

Speaking to a Business Line, President and Managing Director of Ford India Pvt Ltd., Mr Michael Boneham said, "Nearly 70 per cent of all cars sold in the country is in the small car segment. For us the majority of new launches will be in that segment across the next four to five years. What we are planning to do here is launch a new car every 12 to 18 months."

At present, the automaker is preparing to launch its hatchback - Ford Figo in small car segment. This most awaited model will be competing with small cars from the Hyundai Motor India, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors. With Figo is to be launched in the first week of February, the automaker is moving actively to create a better market on the Indian car industry. Meanwhile, seeing the strategy of Ford India in launching vehicles, it seems Ford car lovers will have to wait for another 12 to 18 months for another small car from Ford.

Nine from Nissan

Nine vehicles one after the other. Nissan Motors is ready to sweep all other automakers in India off their feet. The Japanese automaker has plans to launch a total of 9 vehicles in India in the next two years. The 9 vehicles from Nissan include 4 CBU imported vehicles and the rest 5 would be made in India.

Nissan India has already made its way on the Indian roads with three cars that include - the recently launched Nissan 370Z, Teana sedan and X Trail that is a sports utility vehicle. These three cars have been Japanese imports in India.


The automaker has clearly stated that it will be manufacturing 5 cars in India. The first output from the company's Chennai plant will be a hatchback followed by a sedan version of the same model.

Now with 3 vehicles already in the Indian market and 6 more to come soon, its gonna be a almost like a win-win situation of Nissan Motors. We wish Nissan Motors All the very Best!!

Now IKON has a variant - Ford Ikon Plus

Are you one of those who wanted Ford Ikon in both diesel and petrol options? Then, your wish is granted. Ford India has introduced a new variant of Ford Ikon in the name of Ikon Plus. Synonymous to its name, the car is definitely a plus plus. New Ford Ikon comes with following features:

• 13 inch alloys
• Rear spoiler
• Side mouldings
• Chrome exhaust tip
• Leather vinyl seats
• IPod-compatible MP3 player
• Remote keyless entry

Ford Ikon Plus is available in both diesel and petrol variants. This latest launch from Ford india will be available at Rs 5.17-5.77 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).

Mercedes Benz E250 Launched in India

You must have seen and read about a number of new launches at the Mercedes pavilion at the Auto Expo this year. After some really charismatic cars, Mercedes benz has again launched a world class vehicle in India. At a launch ceremony in Mumbai, the Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes Benz India - Dr. Wilfried Aulbur launched Mercedes Benz E250 V6 and the E250 CDI Blue Efficiency.

Here are some of images of the recently launched Mercedes Benz E250

It's Mahindra This Time – Automaker Increases Rates of Vehicles

Third in a row. It's Mahindra this time to join the list of automakers who have increased the rates of their models in the new year. Stating rise in the rates of the raw materials as the major reason for the hike in car prices, Mahindra has made some minor changes in the rates of some of its models. Here are some of the car models whose rates have been hiked.

Models with the Announced Hike in Prices

• Scorpio - Rs. 6,400-9,300/-
• Xylo - Rs. 4,600/-
• Bolero - Rs. 4,800/-

Revised Prices of Maruti Suzuki Models

Effective 16th January, 2010, Maruti Suzuki has increased prices of all its car models. India's biggest and most favourite automaker, Maruti Suzuki has increased the prices that varies from 0.17 percent to 1.47 percent. Ask Maruti the reason for this rise and they have a valid answer to justify this plunge in car rates. The reason is - to recover the increase in the input costs arousing out of raw material costs over the past year.

Ex-Showroom Prices in Delhi (in Rs)
Model	New	Old	Increase	Change %
M800 Std	191646	191146	500	0.26
M800 Std Ac	213062	212562	500	0.24
Alto Std	231585	231085	500	0.22
Alto Lx	265262	264762	500	0.19
Alto Lxi	283878	283378	500	0.18
Omni Cargo LPG	194725	192725	2000	1.04
Omni Cargo	213706	213206	500	0.23
Omni (Eight Seater)	221268	220768	500	0.23
Omni LPG	230388	227388	3000	1.32
Esteem Lx	445968	444968	1000	0.22
Esteem Lxi	476223	475223	1000	0.21
Esteem Vxi	511520	510520	1000	0.20
Baleno Lxi	576173	575173	1000	0.17
Versa Dx	433575	432575	1000	0.23
Versa Dx2	471779	470779	1000	0.21
Versa Std	360182	359182	1000	0.28
WagonR Lx LPG	345106	340106	5000	1.47
WagonR Lxi LPG	373160	368160	5000	1.36

However, there is no increase in the prices of Swift, Zen, Baleno (Vxi) and WagonR (Petrol).